News

Experience Living History at the Penske Racing Museum

November 11, 2009

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (November 11, 2009) - From the moment that visitors enter the Penske Racing Museum in Scottsdale, Ariz., they get a true sense of the rich history and the breadth of Penske Racing.

Located among the premium Penske Automotive Group car dealerships in the Scottsdale 101 Auto Collection, the museum is open to the public, free of charge, and it showcases an amazing collection of cars, trophies, and racing memorabilia that chronicles one of the most successful dynasties in all of sports.

Many of the actual race cars that produced signature wins for Penske Racing over the years are on display. Museum-goers can learn about the history of each amazing machine while appreciating the tradition of excellence established by the organization that has generated more than 300 race victories, 350 pole positions and 22 national championships in over 35 years of competition.

Upon entering the museum, visitors will be greeted by the Miller Lite Dodge stock car that Rusty Wallace raced to his 37th and final victory with the team in 2004 alongside the Indy car that became the first machine to qualify with a lap of over 200 mph lap when Tom Sneva reached the milestone for Penske Racing in 1977.

"Right there you can see two completely different disciplines from two different eras of racing but both are incredible cars for what they accomplished," said Pat Hozza, the museum's curator, who also works on the Team Penske IndyCar Series squad during the season.

At the 9,000-square-foot, two-story museum, 20 of the most prestigious cars in the storied history of Penske Racing are on display. "We really try to maximize the space within the museum to try and put more cars on display," said Hozza. "And we're always trying to rotate in different cars."

Each vehicle has an accompanying plaque that provides detailed information on the car and an overview of its history and place in Penske Racing lore. Memorabilia and some of the prestigious trophies won by Penske Racing teams are featured are featured on the second floor of the museum, along with the Turn 4 Café. The current Penske Racing drivers are also honored at the museum with huge banners displaying their likenesses.

With a record 15 victories at the Indianapolis 500, Penske Racing hosts 12 of the winning cars at the museum. Also on display is the Pontiac Catalina like the one Roger Penske drove to victory in the NASCAR race at Riverside, Calif. in 1963.

It's difficult to pinpoint which one of the cars is most popular with guests at the museum. While some can't wait to see the famous "spin-and-win" car driven by Danny Sullivan to victory in the 1985 Indy 500, others love the 1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Indy 500 pace car.

"The Catalina is a big fan favorite, but so many people like the ‘spin-and-win' car or the ‘200-miles-per-hour' car," said Hozza. "Then we have the 1973 IROC Porsche that Mark Donohue drove and that's pretty popular with sports car enthusiasts."

There's something for every race fan at the Penske Racing Museum, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Since it was first opened in November of 2002, admission to the museum has always been free.

Located just about an hour from Phoenix International Raceway, the museum is a must-see for fans coming to town for this week's NASCAR races. The facility also hosts events and can provide catering. For more information, visit penskeracingmuseum.com or call 480-538-4444.

Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 470 major race wins, over 540 pole positions and 32 Championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 52-year history, the team has also earned 16 Indianapolis 500 victories, two Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win and overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. For 2018, Team Penske will compete in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The team also races in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, in a partnership with Dick Johnson Racing, as DJR Team Penske.